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Zagat's 2008 best airlines survey

by Grant Martin (RSS feed) on Nov 25th 2008 at 9:00AM

After receiving my 37th email of the day from an airline PR firm hailing their place in this year's Zagat survey, I decided it might be worth taking a look into it. Rather than trumpet one airline's accomplishments over the rest in any particular category, however, I'll give you the straight up list of their #1's. You can find it on their website too.

Best Large Domestic Airlines (Premium Seating): Continental Airlines

Best Large Domestic Airlines (Economy Seating): Jetblue Airways
Best International Airlines (Premium Seating): Singapore Airlines

Best Airline Websites: Southwest Airlines

Best In-Flight Entertainment: (Domestic): JetBlue Airways

Best In-Flight Entertainment (International): Virgin Atlantic Airways

Best Consumer On-Time Estimates (Domestic Only): Southwest Airlines
Best Midsized Domestic Airlines (Premium Seating): Virgin America

Best Midsized Domestic Airlines (Economy Seating): Midwest Airlines

Best International Airlines: (Economy Seating): Singapore Airlines

Best Frequent Flier Programs: Southwest Airlines

Best Value for the Money: (Domestic): Southwest Airlines

Best Value for the Money: (International): Continental Airlines

Best Luggage Policy (Domestic Only): Southwest Airlines

Prevailing theme? LOW COST CARRIERS. The airline with the best hedged fuel and most leverage in industry, Southwest, captured the most awards, while other carriers like Jetblue and Virgin America cleaned up with most of the rest. The only other domestic airlines to take home prizes were Continental Airlines and the near-defunct Midwest Airlines.

Perhaps this will send a message to the legacy carriers that they're quickly losing ground to the younger, low-cost crowd and that it's finally time to come off of their high horse and cater to the masses. Or perhaps they'll use this as another excuse to instill fees and figure out how to make mileage tickets more expensive. My guess is the latter.

Filed under: Business, Airlines, News

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bri Nov 25th 2008 2:55PM

I love Southwest for flights of 4 hours or less. Virgin or JetBlue are great, too, otherwise I try to stick to American or Continental. now if Virgin only flew everywhere (ahem Hawaii)

Cathy Nov 29th 2008 2:58PM

Southwest is partnering with a canadian airline in the near future. They will be flying to Hawaii. Yea!!

Dave Miedema Nov 29th 2008 4:49PM

I rarely fly any airline other than Southwest. They don't have extra fees up the wazoo like United, American, etc. Their flight attendants have personalities that they are allowed to share with passengers (the legacy carrier announcements sound like robot drones are making them), and the frequent flier program is unmatched anywhere. I LUV Southwest!!